Masters Predictions 2013: Unknown Golfers Ready to Shock the World

Stephen Dunn/Getty ImagesBrian Gay could make noise as an underdog at the 2013 Masters.

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With the Masters Tournament slated for an April 11 start, golfers are making their final preparations before heading to Augusta National.

While the headlining names of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy top the lists of people projected to do well, some names bubbling under the surface certainly have a chance to shock the world.

Here a few relatively unknown golfers who have a chance to make a splash at this year's Masters.

K.J. Choi

While Choi is only the No. 83 golfer in the world, his success at Augusta has been disproportionate to that ranking. In 2010 and 2011, Choi finished inside the top eight at the Masters.

He's won 18 professional tournaments, including eight on the PGA Tour during his career. 2013 hasn't been the best start for Choi—only two top-25 finishes—but the seasoned veteran won't be shell-shocked when he gets to Augusta.

With all that said, Choi has a legitimate shot to make the run of his career at this year's Masters.

Brian Gay

Which of these players do you think has the best chance to win the Masters?

Which of these players do you think has the best chance to win the Masters?

K.J. Choi

19.7%

Brian Gay

7.6%

Keegan Bradley

52.2%

Tim Clark

5.3%

Rickie Fowler

15.3%

Total votes: 437

Currently 15th on the money list this year, Brian Gay is quietly having a very successful 2013. In January, he was voted by fans as the PGA Tour player of the month, nearly doubling the number of votes Tiger Woods received.

Early this season, he won the Humana Challenge after going into a two-hole playoff with Charles Howell III and David Lingmerth. That was his first win in four years.

Throughout his career, Gay has earned four PGA Tour wins dating back to 2008. However, he's looked good early in 2013 and has a chance to make some noise at the Masters.

Keegan Bradley

With five top-10 finishes, three top-five finishes and only one missed cut out of 10 events in 2013, Keegan Bradley is red-hot heading into the Masters.

His best performance this season came at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, where he finished tied for third behind Woods and Justin Rose.

He has only three wins on the PGA Tour in his career, but he did win the 2011 PGA Championship. He is eighth on the money list this year and could be poised to make a run at Augusta.

Tim Clark

One of Golf Digest's "Top Sleepers to Watch," Clark is quietly having a successful year. The South African is currently 29th on the money list and has two top-10 finishes.

He won The Players Championship in 2010 but since then has been hindered by an elbow injury. That major win is his only win on the PGA Tour during his career, but he does have 11 wins as a professional.

Clark ended last season by appearing in five straight events, which was a positive sign that he was back to full health. If he can go into Augusta with the same swagger he had at The Players Championship in 2010, he has a legitimate chance to make a run at the green jacket.

Rickie Fowler

Currently sitting at 23rd on the money list, Rickie Fowler could be a guy to make a run in this year's Masters.

He has three top-10 finishes in just seven total events. Fowler finished tied for third at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, his best showing of 2013.

Once ranked as the top amateur golfer in the world for 36 straight weeks, Fowler is used to a big stage. This year's Masters could be his coming out party.